High-rise

OODA continues to make its mark on Tirana, Albania, with yet another eye-catching project. Named Ndarja, it's envisioned as a square high-rise building that has been pulled apart to create a pair of towers.

MAD Architects' One River North high-rise draws inspiration from the surrounding landscape and is defined by a facade that's cracked open to reveal a "Canyon" area that lets residents take a stroll along a mountain trail.

Tall buildings are a major trend in car design nowadays and another example of this comes from Porsche Design, which has revealed plans for a car-inspired tower offering high-end luxury for petrolheads and their vehicle collections too.

Snøhetta recently completed work on an impressively energy efficient high-rise. It combines clever design and sustainability features, allowing it to maintain a comfortable temperature without grid-based power.

Described as "buildings within a building" by BIG, the recently completed Epiq takes the form of a series of stacked blocks. The tower's unusual design is well-suited to the local climate and maximizes outdoor space and views.

The Upper House is defined by an eye-catching timber facade that twists as it rises. The building riffs on indigenous Australian culture and also boasts significant sustainability features, as well as thousands of plants.

Though it's officially named the RKM 740 Tower, J Mayer H's recently completed mixed-use high-rise building is undoubtedly destined to be better known by its more interesting nickname of the Zipper, coined due to its eye-catching shading exterior.

The Ascent, by Korb + Associates Architects, has officially been recognized as the new world's tallest timber tower. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the residential high-rise reaches an impressive maximum height of 86.6 meters.

MVRDV has revealed a patriotic project for Albania's capital city. Officially named Tirana's Rock, the tower will reach a maximum height of 85 meters and take the overall form of a bust of Albania's national hero, Skanderbeg.

Influential Japanese architect Kengo Kuma's firm has revealed plans for its first residential tower in the US. Located on Miami Beach, the high-rise will bring together eastern and western design elements and feature an attractive timber exterior.

New York's ODA has a habit of coming up with unusual tower designs and its latest proposal is no exception. It consists of an eye-catching residential project slated for Fort Lauderdale, Florida, that's made up of two connected towers.

MVRDV puts the O in home – literally – with this unusual residential project slated for Germany. One of four buildings that will eventually spell out HOME, the donut-shaped high-rise showcases the firm's flair for lighthearted, quirky architecture.